By Ava Nicols
Staff Writer
Sports regulations change as Los Angeles moves into yellow tier.
As of May 16, The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (CDPH) permits L.A. County to reach the yellow tier of the color-coded reopening system established for COVID-19. This next step permits inter-team competitions with other California teams, indoor practicing and competition, spectating for both youth and adult sports, and practices without masks.
“Without a mask I can breathe easier and do not have to worry about getting sand stuck in my mask,” Varsity beach volleyball player junior Cassidy Antrobius said. “I am hopeful that mask regulation will not be required at all in the near future because my sport is technically non contact.”
Since sports have come back to Costa, players and coaches are now allowed to enjoy their end of season games with less restriction. With this, players are able to have a sense of normalcy once again. The mask mandate has become more flexible as people become vaccinated.
“Before when we had stricter rules, playing in a mask was the hardest thing to do,” said varsity volleyball player freshman Victor Loiola. “It involved a whole new level of cardio because you could barely breathe. Now that we are in yellow tier, it’s a whole new game. It feels free to play and you don’t get tired as fast.”
According to Costa Baseball Coach Frank Wickz, athletes and coaches at Costa are optimistic about the future concerning COVID-19, especially because until now, there have been constraints making it difficult to experience the full extent of a team sport at Costa.. Social distancing and limited interaction limit the team aspect of school sports. The baseball team is hopeful that as guidelines are lifted, our school community will be able to move forward from this obstacle.
“We have a very large roster and I’ve had to have some of the boys actually wait outside the dugout during games to follow the social distancing protocols,” boys frosh baseball coach Frank Wickz said. “It definitely helps the comradery of the team now that the restrictions are becoming looser. I am looking forward to a full season next time around because we do have a lot of fun, even with our circumstances, sometimes too much fun.”
According to JV tennis player Chanelle Kazamek, practices are easier and more enjoyable since having less limitations due to COVID-19. Being able to focus more on playing the sport and having thorough practices benefits the team as a whole more in the long run. It is crucial to be able to have effective practices in order to play well with each other and individually rather than being preoccupied by COVID restrictions.
“Some days we will mix with the varsity players which allows JV players to experience a more advanced playing level,” Kazamek said. “It makes everyone step up their game and strive to play better. The more we get to practice, the better and stronger we all become.”
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